China has perpetrated gross religious freedom violations against religious groups of recognized religions through its “sinicization of religion” policy. However, the government also persecutes many religious groups of unrecognized religions and spiritual movements, such as Falun Gong and Church of Almighty God, under the Article 300 of the Criminal Law. Article 300, which was adopted in 1997, punishes individuals who organize or participate in “any superstitious sect, secret society, or cult organization” (xie jiao). There are currently more than 20 groups the government recognizes as “cults” under Article 300. Increasingly, the government has also used this criminal statute to target religious groups belonging to recognized religions, particularly Protestant house churches.

On today’s episode of the USCIRF Spotlight Podcast, USCIRF Commissioner Mohamed Elsanousi speaks with Massimo Introvigne, Editor-In-Chief of religious liberty magazine Bitter Winter, to discuss Article 300 and its impacts on religious freedom in China.

Read USCIRF's 2025 Annual Report Chapter on China.